sheep

Sugar beet farmers in Wyoming are celebrating another record-breaking increase in production. In 2015, 13% more sugar beets were harvested in Wyoming for a total of 940,000 tons. It’s the seventh year in the last eight to break records. That’s according to Wyoming State Statistician Rhonda Brandt who says Wyoming has been growing sugar beets to process into sugar since at least the early 1900’s, but in the last decade, conditions have improved for farmers.

A researcher at the University of Wyoming predicts that the state has a bright future in the sheep industry.

Assistant Professor Brenda Alexander says demand for lamb and wool declined for decades as tastes in the U.S. changed, and sheep numbers dropped with them. But growing ethnic populations and newfound popularity of wool blends have caused an up-tick in the U.S. sheep industry.

“Wyoming is really geared to be a part of that, because in Wyoming we don’t have a lot of producers, but our producers have the most number of sheep than any other place in the nation.”

Farm owner Bill Jennings says he has found over 50 sheep dead in the last few months. He says he's found dogs in with the sheep twice and has put down three dogs.

Capt. Ryan Lee of the Fremont County Sheriff's Office said a lot of people seem to be allowing their dogs to run free. However, he says owners can be criminally and civilly responsible for any damage they cause to livestock.

The Farm Bureau is offering a reward of over $2,000 for information on the sheep attacks.